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Dr. Russell Lam is a nationally renowned vascular surgeon with offices in Dallas and Rockwall, TX. He specializes in minimally invasive vascular surgery to treat various arterial and venous conditions such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid artery disease, aortic aneurysms and varicose veins and has been credited with preventing thousands of leg and foot amputations through innovative techniques.

Dr. Lam has been selected for inclusion on the 2015 Super Doctors™ list, has been named on the list of Best Doctors by D Magazine, has been featured in Texas Monthly and appeared on “Good Morning Texas.”

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a circulatory system condition that causes a narrowing of the blood vessels and is characterized by restricted blood flow to the lower limbs. PAD is commonly linked to diabetes. In fact, one in three people over the age of 50 with diabetes has PAD. If left untreated, PAD often leads to amputations of the foot or leg and increases risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms include leg pain when walking or exercising, numbness in the feet or lower legs and slow-healing wounds or infections on the feet.

Treatments include angioplasty and stenting and laser atherectomy. PAD treatments are usually minimally invasive and performed on an outpatient basis.

Carotid artery disease is characterized by the presence of excess plaque in the carotid arteries – the major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain, neck and face. The plaque hardens and narrows the pathway in the arteries. When the blood flow in the carotid arteries is restricted, it increases the risk for strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also called “mini strokes.”

Symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness of the arm, leg or face on one side of the body, slurred speech, loss of vision in one eye and difficulty talking or understanding speech. The symptoms are not ongoing and often signify a TIA that can last anywhere from minutes to a full 24 hours. Immediate medical attention is necessary if you are experiencing any or all of the symptoms above.

Treatments include carotid endarterectomy or endovascular repair, often called carotid artery stenting.

Varicose veins are very common. They affect millions of people worldwide. They are often seen as a merely cosmetic issue, but can be quite serious if left untreated. They present as rope-like “bulges” on the legs. They’re caused by faulty valves that cause blood to flow backwards and collect in the veins.

Symptoms include visible large veins just under the skin surface, swelling in the lower legs or ankles, heavy or tired feeling in the legs, leg cramping, pain, achy or itchy sensation, changes in skin color and texture and sores, ulcers or open wounds.

A weak, bulging area in an artery is called an aneurysm. They can occur anywhere in the body and are very serious if they rupture. Regardless of where they occur, in the event of rupture, an aneurysm requires immediate emergency surgery. For men over age 50, a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is the 10th leading cause of death. Abdominal aortic aneurysms, even in their early stages, can result blood clots that increase the risk of permanent tissue damage and/or limb amputation.

Symptoms include a pulsing sensation and tenderness in the stomach near the navel and back pain. Unfortunately, many people don’t notice any symptoms until the condition has progressed and becomes an emergency.

Treatments include open abdominal vascular surgery and endovascular stent graft.

Lam Vascular and Associates has long been an advocate of the American Heart Association. Since cardiovascular issues often go hand in hand with the condition most often seen and treated at Lam Vascular — Peripheral Artery Disease — the event presented an excellent opportunity to educate the public and elevate awareness about PAD.

For the first time ever, plans were made to have a PAD Tent in the vendor area at the Dallas Heart Walk, which was held Saturday, Sept. 8 at the base of the Reunion Tower.
The Lam Vascular team jumped into action to make sure the tent would be eye-catching and brimming with energy and information (along with some fun giveaways!).

Donning shirts that read, “Ask me why you should take your socks off!”, Lam Vascular team members (including Dr. Lam and Dr. Duran!) had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of people about PAD, explaining that examining the feet is a simple way to detect possible heart disease and diminished circulation that could be due to undiagnosed PAD. They also handed out educational materials about PAD and even used it as an opportunity to introduce Lam Vascular’s newest surgeon, Dr. Esther Mihindu, who joins the practice later this month.

The rain might have kept some registrants from participating in this year’s Dallas Heart Walk, but the city-wide event was still deemed a fundraising success, bringing in more than $5 million to bolster the fight against heart disease and stroke.

The Dallas Heart Walk was one of 305 American Heart Association events across the country with the goal of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

The Lam Vascular team has plans to participate in the Dallas Heart Walk again next year and to take their PAD awareness measures to the next level!